Pourin’ It Out
Well, my stars, pumpkin, put a little extra cream on that peach cobbler, warm up the sweet tea, and pull up a front porch rocker, ’cause we’re ’a-fixin’ to gab about somethin’ that’ll get into your heart like a warm quilt ’a-settlin’ over you on a chilly fall evenin’. The strength to overcome any obstacle ain’t found in our own grit. No ma’am, it’s tucked right inside our faith in God’s ability to provide. Tryin to do life on your own goes about as well as a chicken ’a-tryin to do algebra.
Mark 14:4–5 tells us some of them folks went and got all indignant over some expensive perfume. Ain’t it somethin’ how people can be quicker to criticize than a rooster ‘a-crowin’ at 4 a.m.? Jealousy, greed, pettiness, bless our mean lil’ ol’ hearts, we humans can really dish it out. But God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). He loves when our hearts are ’a-swingin’ wide open like a barn door in springtime.
Take that lil widow in Mark 12:41–44. She gave two teeny coins, barely enough for a biscuit. But Jesus said she gave more than all those rich folks ’a-struttin’ around like peacocks. Why? ’Cause she gave her heart, not her leftovers.
And bless her heart, that woman with the perfume (Mark 14:3–9) wasn’t ’a-thinkin’ about price tags. She was ’a-pourin’ out her love with both hands wide open. That’s why Scripture reminds us, “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable” (2 Corinthians 8:12). Sunbeam, God ain’t ’a-sittin’ up in heaven with a calculator. He’s ’a-lookin’ straight at the heart behind the givin’.
And bless that rich young feller in Mark 10:17–31. He wanted eternal life but couldn’t be ’a-loosenin his grip on his stuff. Held onto his riches tighter than a squirrel ’a-holdin a stolen pecan. Doggone it, Jesus wasn’t after his money. He was after his heart!
Truth is, followin’ Jesus means ’a-keepin’ a light grasp on our time, talents, treasures, or whatever He asks. Some folks give the bare minimum, like the Pharisees ’a-punchin’ on a spiritual time clock. But Galatians 6:9 tells us not to grow weary, and 1 Corinthians 16:14 says we oughta be ’a-doin everything in love.
Father, please use me as a pipeline of Your love, mercy, and grace. Give me a givin’ heart that’s generous even when others don’t understand. Help me be willing, joyful, and ready to serve. Thank You kindly for Your endless generosity. May I never hold tight to Your blessings but share them freely. In Jesus holy name. Amen.
Now, sunshine, you tuck this truth in your pocket like a lucky river stone, all smooth, solid, and ready for when life gets bumpy. Let it settle into your heart like a porch swing ‘a-findin’ its own rhythm on a breezy afternoon. Jesus sees your givin’, your servin’, your heart-wide-open love, and He delights in every bit of it. And for your givin’ ways, He’s ‘a-wantin to bless you real good, sweeter than the first ripe peach of summer.
With joy,
Gwen
